Steve Durant has roots in Newfoundland that go back almost 200 years. Born into an expatriate family in Kingston, Ontario, he moved back to St. John's in 2001 to work on a degree in political science. He volunteered with a number of anti-violence campaigns at Memorial, and worked as an editor with the student newspaper. This past October, he stood as the Green Party candidate in St. John's East, fulfilling a lifelong desire to take a strong stance on environmental issues.

"The Green Party appeals to me because they combine common-sense principles such as economic responsibility and improved health-care with real values like social justice and equality, and view it all within the framework of the environment we live in. By not treating the environment

with the fundamental respect it deserves, our politicians have acted against the public interest for short-term benefits and corporate profits."

Steve says that unlike other candidates, he wants to help put more power in the hands of Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans. The Greens believe that if nature and traditional ways of life come into conflict with outside interests, the local people must prevail.

"I cannot believe that Ottawa has not been willing to recognize that we take priority over foreign fleets when it comes to fishing our seas…Apparently corporations' right to trade is more important to Paul Martin than our right to make a living. Campaign material and everyday banter in the House of Commons makes it obvious that building up alliances with the Americans is more important to the other parties than guarding against the real threat to our way of life posed by illegal foreign exploitation of our seas. Only the Greens Party has stated, clearly and consistently, that there is a better way. I'm confident the people of this constituency will be part of this powerful movement that stands for people and common sense above destruction and greed."